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Chicken Parmesan Rigatoni Bake

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A delicious twist on Italian-American classics, combining rigatoni pasta, crispy chicken, marinara sauce, and melted cheese.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3/4 pound rigatoni pasta
  • 32 oz. marinara sauce (up to 48 oz. for saucier pasta)
  • 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
  • 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided
  • 2 small boneless skinless chicken breasts
  • 3/4 cup flour
  • 2 teaspoons seasoned salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 1/2 cups Italian breadcrumbs
  • 3/4 cup vegetable oil
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • Fresh parsley, to garnish

Instructions

  1. Prepare the pasta by bringing a large pot of water to a boil. Cook the rigatoni for one minute less than the package instructions, then drain.
  2. Toss the rigatoni with 32 oz. of marinara sauce, 2 tablespoons of Parmesan cheese, and 1 cup of mozzarella in the pot.
  3. Dry the chicken with paper towels and slice into strips about ½ inch thick.
  4. Set up a breading assembly line with flour, seasoned salt, pepper, whisked eggs, and Italian breadcrumbs.
  5. Dredge the chicken strips in flour, dip in eggs, and coat with breadcrumbs.
  6. Heat about 1/4 inch of vegetable oil in a large skillet with butter over medium-high heat. Cook the chicken strips for about 4 minutes on each side until golden brown.
  7. Transfer the cooked chicken to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil and slice into bite-sized pieces.
  8. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease a 9 x 13 inch casserole dish.
  9. Spoon half of the rigatoni mixture into the dish, add half of the chicken, and top with 2 tablespoons of Parmesan and 1 cup of mozzarella.
  10. Add the remaining rigatoni, the rest of the chicken, and finish with the remaining cheeses on top.
  11. Bake uncovered for 25 minutes, then increase heat to 425 degrees and bake for an additional 5 minutes.
  12. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve hot!

Notes

For a creamier version, mix ricotta cheese with the sauce. Substitute vegetables for chicken for a vegetarian option.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://yummyfirst.com/chicken-parmesan-rigatoni-bake/